Measure Addressing Union Paycheck Fees and Dues Advances in the Senate

JEFFERSON CITY – In the early morning hours on Tuesday (3-12), lawmakers in the Missouri Senate gave their first-round approval to a bill that would require authorization for certain labor unions to use dues and fees to make political contributions and bar these unions from withholding earnings from their members’ paychecks. 

Senate Bill 29, sponsored by Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla, would require annual written approval from public employee union members in order to withhold earnings for dues, agency shop fees, or any other fees paid by public employee members of a labor organization. 

The form outlined in the bill would read: “Signing this form authorizes the amount of $... to be withheld from your monthly earnings and allocated to your labor organization as a portion of your dues, agency shop fees, or other fee payments for the next twelve months.  You are not obligated to sign this authorization.  Your signature below is completely voluntary and cannot in any way affect your employment.”

The legislation also requires union members’ permission to use their dues or agency shop fee payments as a political contribution or expenditure.  Individuals who do not authorize political contributions would not have their dues, agency shop fees, or other fees increased.  In addition, signing or refraining from signing these authorizations would not be a condition of employment or continued employment. 

Provisions found in Senate Bill 29 would not apply to organizations that represent first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, or nurses and physicians. 

Another affirmative vote in the Senate would move the measure to the House of Representatives for similar consideration.

To follow this and other bills filed for the 2013 legislative session, visit www.senate.mo.gov.